In a statement released on the internet, the Aum Shinrikyo cult said that its former leader Shoko Asahara was probably involved in the crimes he is now charged with. They include the gas attack on the Tokyo subway which killed 12 people and injured thousands.

"Although we cannot say for sure since the trial is still going on, we have come to a consensus that [Shoko] Asahara was likely involved in the series of crimes he is charged with," the statement said.

"Asahara is a genius...in yoga and Buddhist meditation methods and we will continue to practise those methods inherited from him."

The 44-year old, half-blind Asahara is on trial for masterminding the subway attack as well as 16 other crimes, including murder, attempted murder, a separate nerve gas attack and production of weaponry.

He has denied any involvement in the crimes committed by his followers.

Name change

Aum also said it would change its name to "Aleph" - taken from the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet - and rid itself of part of its doctrine which has been interpreted as condoning murder if it benefits the cult.

The renamed group's main target of worship will be Buddhist deities and its followers will no longer take personal orders from Mr Asahara, although he will remain "a spiritual entity", the cult's newly appointed leader Tatsuko Muraoka said in the statement.

Mr Muraoka said that the new group would pose no threat to society.

Fumihiro Joyu, the cult's charismatic former spokesman and second highest official after Asahara, said that the cult "deeply apologises to the victims" and that reforms were being taken to rid the cult of its sinful past.

Compensation

On Monday, Aum reportedly agreed to hand over its facilities in six locations as well as more than 3.3 million yen it received from a small town in Saitama prefecture, north of Tokyo, for vacating land there as compensation to the victims.

A senior government spokesman Mikoo Aoki said the government would continue to closely watch the cult's activities.

"There are sufficient grounds for us to believe that their announcement is simply aimed at evading regulations," he said.

The cult also set out "drastic reforms" in what may be a reaction to new laws passed in December giving the authorities sweeping powers to clamp down on such groups.